5 tips to learn your script lines inside out!

How to learn your lines inside out and back to front!

Learning lines for a play requires dedication to your performance group.

Practicing a little and often is a good approach. 

Studies have shown that instead of counting sheep - learning lines before bed leads to optimum recall!

Here are a few great tips to help you:

1. The first job is to highlight the scenes you are in & your characters lines so they are easy to see.

2. Ideally set aside two short chunks of time each day to focus on your learning your lines.

3. Find a comfortable, quiet space to practice.

4. Start by reading your scene through in your head. Then read the scene  again in your head, but say your lines aloud while looking at the script. Next ask a family member or a friend to read the scene aloud (play all the other characters & read the stage directions) with particular attention on your cue (the character line just before yours) so you learn when to deliver your line!

5. Try looking into a mirror as you speak. What emotion are you sharing with the audience? Check out your facial expression.

6. Say your lines in interesting ways. Play around with pace, volume and pitch. Sing, shout, whisper, giggle your lines!

7. Dance, tidy up or jump on the trampoline and say your lines at the same time! Moving around finds a rhythm and helps to retain dialogue.

8. Put pen to paper! Writing lines out, pops things in slow motion and helps you think about your what you have to say, the stage direction you need to follow and any props you may need to use.

9.Try practicing lines in different locations, the car, on a walk, say them in your head while swimming up and down the pool! 

10. Record and listen to yourself speaking. How do you sound? Would you change your expression, volume, pace, pitch? Is their a word that may be better emphasized to stand out?

Happy line learning  and thank you for your commitment to the process!